HDWEB: Leave Ian Kinsler alone!

Good afternoon HDWEB'ers, it's March 5th, Ervin Santana still doesn't have a job, and God hates the Royals. Here's everything you need to know.

If you have ideas or suggestions, send 'em my way at @justinbopp.

• "Man, that thing is filthy. The knuckleball, too." - Grant Brisbee
  

Ian Kinslerpocalypse:

• Ian Kinsler calls Jon Daniels 'sleazeball,' wants Rangers to lose every game - SBNation.com
  Following his bungled ouster, the former Rangers second baseman wants his former team to lose every game and calls his former boss "a sleazeball."

• Kinsler: Quotes in ESPN article "ridiculous," "childish" - Lone Star Ball
  Ian Kinsler says that his quotes in the ESPN: The Magazine article that came out today were "ridiculous" and "childish," and were taken out of context. Because of course "sleazeball" is something that can be taken out of context.

• Ian Kinsler's misplaced priorities - SBNation.com
  GM Jon Daniels may or may not be "a sleazeball," but Kinsler's outrage over losing his best clubhouse buddy is a great example of a ballplayer putting other considerations ahead of winning.

• Ian Kinsler more self-absorbed than A-Rod, says Rangers beat writer - SBNation.com
  According to a long-time Rangers beat writer, Kinsler is may be more self-absorbed than Alex Rodriguez, calls it "too close to call."

Not any fun being in the Texas doghouse, is it @IKinsler3?

— Josh Hamilton (@thejoshhamilton) March 4, 2014

• James Shields won't negotiate new extension with Royals when season starts - SBNation.com
  James Shields doesn't want to negotiate a long-term extension with Kansas City once the season begins -- and the Royals have no intention of dealing with him now. Why, why, why, why? I'm not saying it would be a fair negotation, I'm just saying: they gave up 6 years of Wil Myers for this guy!!! Sorry, emotions.

• Joe Saunders to sign with Rangers - SBNation.com
  In perhaps the clearest indication the Rangers rotation is lacking, the club is bringing in Joe Saunders to compete for a spot. Yikes?

• Justin Masterson proposes 3-year extension to Indians - SBNation.com
  You read that headline right -- it's his idea. Concerns over draft pick compensation hurting market value and desire for financial security among reasons All-Star Indians pitcher Justin Masterson offered team deal below market value.

• Johan Santana signs with Orioles for $3 million plus incentives - SBNation.com
  The former 2-time Cy Young winner Santana signs incentive-laden minor league contract with the Orioles as he attempts to rehab shoulder issues.

• 5 MLB free agents still looking for jobs - SBNation.com
  With the biggest available stars tied down by draft pick compensation, a few unsung players are still available for teams willing to pay the right price.

• 5 Non-Roster Invitees who could win jobs this spring - SBNation.com
  Non-roster invitees don't often enter spring training with much of a chance to win a job, but every season a few do end up earning a role with a major league club. Here are five candidates who could win a job this spring.

• Spring training 2014: Astros stock report - The Crawfish Boxes
  After four games, who's moving up and who's falling in the Astros stock market.

• Stephen Fife among 10 Dodgers roster cuts Tuesday - True Blue LA
  The Dodgers now have 48 players in major league camp, after sending 10 players to minor league camp on Tuesday.

Strasburg pleased with his outing. Happy with the slider. Struck out B.J. Upton with it. Happy he got to work on holding a runner & pickoffs

— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) March 4, 2014

• Nationals' Stephen Strasburg has 2 scoreless innings in first Grapefruit League start - Federal Baseball
  Strasburg threw two scoreless in his first start of the spring, giving up a one-out single in the second before getting an outing-ending 6-4-3 DP.

• Edgmer Escalona out of bullpen race with shoulder inflammation - Camden Chat
  Escalona will miss enough time that he won't be ready for Opening Day.

• Ross Stripling to have Tommy John surgery Wednesday - True Blue LA
  Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling, one of the team's top pitching prospects, will miss the 2014 season after Tommy John surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

• What can we expect from Xander Bogaerts? - Over the Monster
  Is it time to be realistic? Hell no.

• Somehow Cardinals Pitching Prospects Keep Popping Up - Viva El Birdos
  Even though there's no such thing as a pitching prospect and a club can never have enough pitching, the Cardinals pitching depth is impressive.

• 2014 New York Yankees Consensus Top 58 Prospects - Beyond the Box Score

• Red Sox prospect Garin Cecchini can really hit - Over the Monster
  OTM highlights a prospect getting slightly overshadowed by the Bogaerts/Bradley Jr. conversation -- and they have reason to be excited:

• The future is bright at 3B with Nolan Arenado - Purple Row
  What's next for the Rockies at third base? PR says the club has a lot to look forward to.

• MLB Prospect Review: Kyle Zimmer, Kansas City Royals - Fake Teams
  Kyle Zimmer has been showing up in the top 25 on top prospect lists across the web. What can he do for your fantasy team, and how soon could it happen?

• An interview with former Mets stat guru Ben Baumer, Part 1 - Amazin' Avenue
  Author and former Mets statistical analyst speaks about his time with the Mets and present and upcoming projects.

• The Future of Defensive Statistics Is Here - Twinkie Town
  A revolutionary announcement was made recently regarding the ability to track defensive statistics, and Andrew is absolutely giddy about it.

• Angels a la Braves - Halos Heaven
  The Braves went militant in locking up their young core of stars. Should the Angels do the same?

• Giancarlo Stanton: an expendable commodity? - Beyond the Box Score
  How a Miami team without Giancarlo Stanton can really be better without the All Star.

• The Yankees have been ahead of the pitch framing curve for years - Pinstripe Alley
  According to a new study from Baseball Prospectus to quantify pitch framing, the Yankees have been ahead of the curve for years

• MLB Payrolls and the cost of a win - Beyond the Box Score
  An in-depth analysis of how teams are spending their money and the returns they should expect going into 2014.

• Be Patient With Kolten Wong - Viva El Birdos
  Kolten Wong did not get off to the best start in his major league debut in 2013 and is thus far hitless this spring. Given a little time, he will not be the first player to succeed after struggling to start his career.

• Alcides Escobar and improvement in 2014 - Beyond the Box Score
  Alcides' Escobar's poor 2013 performance was one of many things that held down the Royals. Can he rebound in 2014? My answer is no. No he cannot rebound and God hates the Royals. As I'm putting this together a Luke Hochevar-is-out-for-weeks/month-with-UCL just floated past me on twitter. Good lord.

• Attack of the Birds! - Viva El Birdos
  No matter what you throw, these Birds won't miss it -- at least not at an above average rate...

• The worst hat, shirt in the world - SBNation.com
  These are objective truths.

.@adamdunn_44 found a remodeled locker when he returned to the #WhiteSox clubhouse after his trip to the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/kTWnXJnLUS

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 4, 2014

(h/t r/baseball)

• Have a beautiful day: